The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis says the party will keep a watchful eye as Holiday Industrial Builders International carries out work on a $20 million contract to construct a new National Security building.

Dr Minnis spoke a day after Holiday Builders International (HIBI) owner and contractor Rev Lloyd Smith defended his company amid growing public scrutiny after it was revealed that he was awarded another contract despite being terminated under the previous Ingraham administration as he neared completion of what is now the Attorney General’s office on John F Kennedy Drive in 2008.

The situation led Rev Smith to challenge the FNM government’s decision to terminate his contract and he was awarded nearly $700,000 in that arbitration process.

“That entire Holiday Industrial Builders contract,” Dr Minnis said, “we will be watching closely. We want to ensure that the Bahamian people get value for money. We are tired of the Bahamian public’s money being wasted and money being thrown away.”

In a recent interview with The Tribune, Rev Smith spoke publicly for the time saying it was time the assaults on his character came to an end.

Rev Smith admitted that he and Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson are “friends”, but he said their relationship had no influence on the awarding of his latest $20 million contract. The contract was awarded by the National Insurance Board.

His statement came after FNM MP Hubert Chipman said last Tuesday that the contractor and Mr Gibson appeared to have close ties. Mr Chipman noted that Rev Smith officiated at Hollywood star Anna Nicole Smith’s funeral and that of Mr Gibson’s father, “King” Eric Gibson.

Mr Gibson resigned his post as immigration minister in 2007 amid allegations that he fast-tracked Ms Smith’s application for residency in the Bahamas.

Rev Smith told The Tribune that he could not understand the public backlash and criticism over the government awarding his firm a contract because during the FNM’s last term in office, he did not receive any work or major contracts.

He said: “Minister Gibson is my friend. But I am saying it has nothing to do with the contract I was awarded. I do support the Progressive Liberal Party and I suppose they will put me on the list for any job. That doesn’t mean that I will or won’t get the job.

“What happened when certain other companies got contracts for government facilities? No one said anything. But because I am black or I am PLP they are saying this stuff? I supported the FNM at one time too, but that didn’t go so well. I am just trying to figure out what is wrong.”

Rev Smith insisted that he was awarded the new contract in a fair tender process. NIB officials have backed his position saying a strict process was followed before engaging the services of HIBI to construct the building on JFK Drive.